Greetings Fellow Flyers-
With all the talk that goes on here about non-revving with this, that and the other airline, I thought - why not start a thread where we can all share our non-rev experiences/tips/ideas/insights? A place to comment/criticize/share the good, the bad and even the ugly.
I've done quite a bit of non-revving in the last month, both with my own company and with other companies and have come up with a whole handful of stories/tips/observations. I'm sure there are plenty of you out there who have done the same, and thought it'd be a good idea to create a thread where we can put all of that down and hopefully help out some of our fellow non-revvers.

Sounds great. For a forum dedicated to non-rev travel go to www.nonrev.net and join under the forum button. The forum isn't very populated and I'd like to see it grow a little. Usually it takes days to get replies to your topics.

1. Flew JFK-MUC-SJJ with Lufthansa two weeks ago. Was very impressed by a few things. One, our baggage was checked though - something my own company doesn't always do. Sometimes, but not always. Two, our bags made our 35 minute connection in Munich - something that is unheard of in Newark. And most importantly, both crews treated us like gold. Although we were in coach, we were brought business class deserts on the JFK-MUC flight, and acknowleged by the entire crew. Very nice and professional. I would definitely non-rev on Lufthansa again without hesitation.

2. Flew home SJJ-MXP-EWR on AZ. Different story... First of all, AZ does not check your bags through. You must clear immigration in Milan, pick up your bags, clear customs, and re-check them. However, check-in was painless and given a seat assignment right then and there. Introduced myself to the crew, who were very nice, and invited me to sit up in business class after the first service was finished. All in all, a decent trip - would have been nicer if the bags had gone through, but such is life...

All in all, LH is definitely a good airline to go with. Seat assigments were given at the gate, and an effort was made to seat us together. (Two of us were traveling together.) AZ is ok, but try not to check bags.

NEXT UP: EWR-NRT on CO, NRT-BKK on NH, then KUL-VIE-JFK on OS or KUL-DXB-JFK on EK... Depends on who I can get a seat on!
Will let you all know how it goes.
Btw, has anyone here non-revved and connected through NRT? A friend of mine did - he went EWR-NRT on CO then NRT-BKK on TG. He said that although his bags were not checked through, the people at the TG transfer desk sent for them and had them rechecked. Sounds too good to be true to me. Anyone have any experience?

I guess I have something to add as well. I flew JNB-CPT with an ID95 and SAA treated us very nicely. The total fare was $40 roundtrip. When we got to JNB, they had a special desk for non-revs where you were given your seat assignment before going through security. On the way back, there was also a seperate counter in CPT for staff travel. No lines. Extremely convenient. Once again, we recieved seats before having to go through security. Everything on SAA goes as smooth as possible and I highly recommend them if traveling through Southern Africa (continent).

Never had a problem with my company, nor for that matter US or WN. One word of sage

advice:

If travelling with loved ones such as parents or kids, try to sequester them when you do all your business. Last Summer and the year before, I had to fly from BWI to RDU. No big but, it was for a funeral in 2005 and an unveiling in 2006. Therefore, I was travelling with my parents. Though, my parents have been advised and coached on non-rev travel, when at the airport and with being bumped a probability, they can get shall I say excited. So, I told them to sit, chill out and I'll take care of business. And, that included breaking the news that we were not returning to BWI that night. Needless to say, I'm glad I was away from the gate agents/podium when I delivered the news. Lets just say it was high drama and comedy. My folks ain't spring chickens and were only planning to make this a day trip not an overnight adventure. And when my mom realized she would be away from her "baby" retarded cat, yes, there is such an animal, we could have been a You Tube Hit.

Quoting PanAm747LHR (Reply 2):Btw, has anyone here non-revved and connected through NRT? A friend of mine did - he went EWR-NRT on CO then NRT-BKK on TG. He said that although his bags were not checked through, the people at the TG transfer desk sent for them and had them rechecked. Sounds too good to be true to me. Anyone have any experience?

Flew quite several times to/from and via NRT as non-rev on JL, KL and MH. All staff do their most best for you and treat you like any other passenger, and maybe just a little bit better. On KL lounge-access was granted (when I got upgraded) and MH cabincrew upgraded me to C onboard when flying NRT-BKI.
Japanese staff are very keen on you, and don't bother about your luggage. That will be fine Your non-rev experience through NRT will be good for sure!

There was a time about 5 years ago that I somehow managed to purchase a standby ticket with DL to fly LAX - ATL - LGW. I can't remember how on earth I managed it now, because I don't work for DL and don't know anyone who works for DL.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but these days it just isn't possible to buy stand by tickets, right? Or, in other words, the only people who can non-rev are those who work for the airline, or have received a flight voucher from a friend or family member who works for the airline. Is that right?

I once got stuck in FRA because SAS went on strike, that wasn't fun. But the LH staff were fantastic and even gave me an overnight kit!

Once flying YYC-YVR-HKG on my own airline (AC) and then connecting to a KA flight to KHH. Flight from YVR-HKG was late departing due to a mechanical issue. Landing in HKG with only 40 mins to go through passport control, get my luggage and check in for my KA flight to KHH and I still managed it even though I was standby!! KA staff were great!

Flying CDG-LHR. I had a ZM ticket which I originally listed on BA with, but was bumped. I decided to try the AF desk and they welcomed me, took my ticket, gave me a standby boarding pass. I arrive at the gate, wait for 15 mins and see my name appear on the LCD monitor by the desk. I go up to the desk where the very friendly (and very attractive) AF agent hands me a boarding pass and says "you'll be flying in executive class today" I never expected to be upgraded on another carrier, especially one that isn't a STAR carrier. Thanks to that AF agent!

Flying LHR-YVR-YYC. Just before we're supposed to start descent into YYC I notice we enter a holding pattern. This goes on for 15 mins until the captain comes on to announce that we'd have to divert to YEG due to severe thunderstorms over YYC. We land in YEG about 30 mins later and told we will just wait for fuel and should be back on our way to YYC soon. Then the bad news got worse. This flight was now cancelled as YYC was only accepting priority flights (overseas etc). As I was stand-by I wasn't entitled to anything, so I ended up splitting a rental car with 4 other strangers and drove the 3.5 hours back to YYC. I was so glad to be home that night.

All in all I must say I've been treated better as a non-rev passenger in many cases than a revenue passenger. I guess we all take care of each other in the industry.

I got a potential disaster lining up right now. I'm going to try on OK623 AMS-PRG later today, but the KL flight in front was just canceled and it just started snowing so I guess it will be a tough one. Will let you know how it turned out.

Should've flown this morning........

For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and ther

Quoting JRadier (Reply 11):I got a potential disaster lining up right now. I'm going to try on OK623 AMS-PRG later today, but the KL flight in front was just canceled and it just started snowing so I guess it will be a tough one. Will let you know how it turned out.

I really should have skipped school this morning. OK623 just got canceled as well. OK618 (the 17:25 flight) will be upgraded to a A321 but with pax of 3 flights on it I'm not too sure. Let's hope the weather gets a little better and this one manages to get in and out.

For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and ther

I am retired AA living in Japan as a missionary. I did a lot of non revving when I worked for AA both domestic and international and especially on the 777. Most of my non revving is done between Japan and the US.

Quoting V1valarob (Reply 15):I really would like to go to NRT or DBX, but both airlines I can fly on dont give me buddy passes, but Id still really like to go. When you guys travel, do you go alone or take someone?

Hey Rob, which airline do you work for? I'm surprised you can go all the way to MAN but can't get any Zed or ID tickets to get to NRT.

Most of my non-rev has been alone, but my CDG-LHR-YVR-YYC was with a hot chick Recently I took my brother to HKG as well. My next trip in a few days will be YYC-YUL-IAD, few days in the DC area staying with a friend. Then IAD-CPH, few days in CPH, then CPH-HEL, ferry down to TLL and back then HEL-FRA-HKG-YYZ-YYC

I mostly travel with my wife, she also works for BA. Before I was married I was allowed to choose to either have a travel companion or have my immediate family travel with me.
My family dont travel much so I had my best freind as a travel companion.

I also travel a bit with colleagues from work to destinations that you only stay for a couple of nights such as NYC, MIA and european destinations

Quoting Sketty222 (Reply 17):Hey Rob, which airline do you work for? I'm surprised you can go all the way to MAN but can't get any Zed or ID tickets to get to NRT.

Most of my non-rev has been alone, but my CDG-LHR-YVR-YYC was with a hot chick Big grin Recently I took my brother to HKG as well. My next trip in a few days will be YYC-YUL-IAD, few days in the DC area staying with a friend. Then IAD-CPH, few days in CPH, then CPH-HEL, ferry down to TLL and back then HEL-FRA-HKG-YYZ-YYC Big grin

Kris

I work for Colgan Air, a regional airline for US Air, Continental and United. So I get benefits on all the airlines. However US Air is the only one that lets me have a registered guest, they are also the only airline that gives us guest passes. So if I want to bring a friend it has to be on US Air routes. I can bring that registered guest on most zed fare's, but still....

So the NRT routing is looking iffy... All the CO flights are filling up. I think we're going to fly us (CO) to LGW, and then try Etihad from LGW to BKK via AUH. Anyone have any experience non-revving with EY?

AIR TAHITI NUI : PPT-LAX-PPT/PPT-JFK-PPT/PPT-NRT-KIX-PPT/PPT-AKL-PPT
A343 aircraft, video is available at all seats, Crews are usually very nice appart from the odd one, but hey its the same every where you go. The crew will sometimes upgrade you once on board, depends on the captain and the purser... Yet they are always accomodating and will chat with you if you go in the galley.

ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS : LAX-NRT-LAX/BKK-NRT
Excellent airline, will treat you as every other passenger. Ground staff in BKK was very accomodating as I was holding a Korean Air only nonrev ticket for BKK-ICN-NRT but wanted to fly nonstop to NRT. They accepted it when Thai Airways refused to. The crew will not upgrade anyone once onboard, I now my sister works for them based in LHR.

BRITISH AIRWAYS : LGW-PHX-SAN/LHR-JNB/LHR-CPT/CDG-LHR-CDG
Cabin crew at BA are excellent and treat you like royalty ! Ground staff at other terminal than T4 are really sweet one lady in T3 checked me in the First Class lane for a flight to CPT. Crew will do their utmost to make your flight as pleasant as possible. T4 agents at the nonrev check-in area can be very stern but I feel for them because buddy passes can be very awfull when travelling without the employee...

BMI : LHR-CDG-LHR/LHR-PRG
This airline used to be nice in the days. I used to work for them and the service was amazing. It is now offering a low-cost service on its European routes and it is really dissapointing. I recently flew on a very empty A321 LHR-CDG. The crew was nice and performed their BOB service as is.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES : CDG-EWR/EWR-MIA
Nice airline, flew on the 777 and MD80. Crew on the CDG-EWR was really sweet came to visit me in Y class and offered me a couple of gifts. Food was OK PTV in Y on the long haul planes. Very long day in EWR trying to get on a flight to MIA, managed the 3rd one but very rude ground staff who shut the door before I got on board as I was being seconday checked at the entrance of the jetty. Got to the end of it and the door had just been closed. They guy on the ground told me it was too late I should have been here earlier I told him I was beeing checked for security purposes and that it wasn't my fault. He told me he didn't care and I said that I doubt FAA and TSA would really appreciate knowing that he left me on the grounnd and the plane took off with my suitcase in it ! He reopened the door and let me in ! Phew !

Hey guys, I found a good website for approximate loads on other carriers. It's www.seatcounter.com. It gives you the availibility by fare classes. I'm not sure how accurate it is, perhaps a travel agent could let us know that. Anywho, another tool besides the smilies on flyzed.com